The Ultimate University-Choosing Guide for Overwhelmed Students

With so many choices of universities and courses out there, how are you going to choose? Making checklists and comparison tables can be overwhelming, and the fear of regretting your choice can be scary. Therefore, why not look for a university that gives you the flexibility and accessibility you need?

A university that understands the needs of students and strives to provide education for everyone is no doubt a forerunner in anyone’s list of possible higher learning institutions. Here are some factors to look out for when choosing a uni for a worry-free and smooth student life!

1. Many learning modes

Student life is not all about studying. Look for a uni that offers different kinds of learning modes. Whether you choose to delve into full-time, part-time, online or blended learning, a uni that offers all these options lets you decide how you want to study, which affects how you do in classes, how much fun you have and how you get to build your life around your studies.

As Malaysian universities are increasingly equipped with top-notch technology to facilitate learning, you may also have the chance to study from the comfort of your bedroom AND meet face-to-face with your lecturer and classmates at uni once or twice a week for the same course. If you’re a working adult or someone with heavy family commitments, such an arrangement could be a solution for you to achieve your academic goals.

Some universities have regional campuses, which further enhance their flexible learning offering. Students who are not from city centres and don’t have good accessibility to main campuses can attend regional campuses so they can always be up to date with their studies and cope just as well as their peers at main campuses.

2. Close to everything

Living in the city is tough regardless of where you come from. While everything may seem hunky dory at the beginning of the semester, you will soon come to dread the traffic jams and rush to classes after a long night of completing assignments. Hence, look for unis that fit your travel needs. Consider whether you want to be close to home, live in the dorms, or be near major highways and public transport networks.

Besides that, lunch time can be a drag if you’re eating at the cafeteria every day, so having a uni that is within walking distance to eateries, banks, supermarkets, a shopping mall and other amenities right next to your uni helps, too. So, find a uni that saves you time and hassle!

3. A life of convenience

Life as a student is stressful enough for you to worry about “adulting” by running important errands without your parents’ help.

Therefore, look for a campus that will help you navigate this important phase. An efficient administration office for all your university matters, a library, Wi-Fi, and cafes for group assignment meetings or snack shops you can run to to grab something to eat between classes – these all make it easier on you to navigate young adulthood.

What about when you need to navigate group assignments? You definitely need dedicated discussion spaces, because even though restaurants can fit large groups, the noise and general distraction of ordering food and eating may not be the best way to get work done. Unis with discussion rooms or small private study spaces should be high on your priority list. Choosing a campus with post offices, medical centres, shopping malls and major highways or public transportation hubs nearby can be monumental to your level of comfort as well.

4. All the help you can get

School fees are one of the key factors for students to decide on a university, but the availability and extent of financial aid provided by the university is equally important. Research unis that have affordable fees as well as financial aid and scholarships. If you’re eligible for National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) coverage under the uni, all the better!

5. Flexible entry requirements

Getting accepted into a credible university can be a real challenge, especially if it is purely down to SPM grades. The good news is, there are accredited universities recognised by the Education Ministry that understand your needs and are willing to consider different applications and qualifications, including work-based experience, equally.

What if you’ve been working for a while after getting your diploma but need a postgraduate qualification for career advancement? Depending on how extensive and specialised your work experience is, you can convert it into paper qualification to gain entry into a postgraduate programme under APEL (A) (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning).

Or, for instance, you felt your SPM grades were too low to apply to university, so you started working and gained quantifiable skills and expertise. Maybe you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree after several years but don’t know where to start. With your work experience, APEL (A) can help you qualify for degree programmes.

6. Has all the above factors

Rather than scour the Net for hours in the hopes of finding THE perfect university, why not enrol at UNITAR, that has all these factors? UNITAR International University is known not only for being the first virtual university in Southeast Asia but also one of the pioneering and high-ranking private universities in Malaysia. UNITAR has 11 campuses spread throughout Malaysia, with its main campus located in Kelana Jaya, making it the epitome of learning accessibility, covering all aspects including learning modes, location, entry requirements and financial aid.

Convenient learning and living experience

At UNITAR, students can experience a holistic and innovative learning framework. The programmes offered are available for full-time or part-time study and both are conducted via traditional and online learning modes. One unique feature of UNITAR’s learning framework is the combination mode, where classes are a blend of face-to-face and online interaction in some programmes. This system also allows students to customise their learning environment.

UNITAR’s main campus in Kelana Jaya is equipped with various facilities that ease the everyday routine of students. With an extensive library, laboratories, one-stop administrative centre, auditorium, cafe and accommodation options, UNITAR ensures its students’ comfort.

These facilities encourage collaboration among students, in line with the university’s C.A.R.E (Collaborative, Adaptive, Reflective, Entrepreneurial) principles. Students are educated with C.A.R.E. so they can develop into well-adjusted, well-prepared professionals who are initiative-takers and leaders. Each principle is woven into the fabric of UNITAR and is emphasised with every activity and lesson.

The residences provided for UNITAR students – Pacific Place and Highpark Suites – are located nearby Kelana Jaya Medical Centre and a post office. With Paradigm Mall, one of the more popular malls in Kelana Jaya nearby, students have easy access to buy groceries at hypermarkets such as Tesco and Giant. Security is also assured for students when they are on campus as well as in the accommodation area.

Getting to and from UNITAR’s main campus is not as difficult as you might think. Driving to the area would most likely require you to take the main routes into Kelana Jaya by way of the Damansara-Puchong Expressway, New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and Federal Highway. By public transport, Kelana Jaya LRT station is located about 10 minutes away from UNITAR and there is also a bus and taxi hub with buses from this station going out to the rest of Kelana Jaya as well as the adjacent districts such as Bandar Utama, Putrajaya, and Subang Jaya.

Accessible for all students

UNITAR emphasises ‘Education for Everyone’ and encourages applications from all eligible students from schools around the nation. It offers more than 40 programmes at the in the areas of Business & Technology, Education and Culinary Arts.

All programmes offered by UNITAR are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), and generally accepts school and undergraduate qualifications including Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with a minimum of 3 credits.

For students who lack formal academic qualifications but have gained deep specialised knowledge through work experience, the university recognises and reviews applicants under APEL (A). One can also choose to fast-track their academic journey through APEL (C) and UNITAR’s work and study option to fit their lifestyle.

UNITAR has 11 campuses nationwide and flexible learning modes for all, no matter where or when they want to study. To view the full list of programmes offered by UNITAR along with each of their entry requirements, CLICK HERE.

UNITAR upholds its concept of affordable and quality education for people of any socio-economic background. There are various scholarships up to 100% tuition fees available for leadership, talent and athletics. Besides that, diploma and degree courses at UNITAR are eligible for 100% PTPTN coverage depending on the programme.

If you are Muslim, you can request financial aid under zakat. Visit your state zakat centre’s website for more information. Confused about where to start? UNITAR can help you approach your nearest zakat centre. Full funding is available for asnaf registered with Lembaga Zakat Selangor. Zakat aid is also available for qualified students who are not registered under Lembaga Zakat Selangor.

To view the full list of financial aid options available, CLICK HERE.

It is clear that when it comes to accessibility, UNITAR certainly executes it well and eventually achieves their aim to widen access to learning for all existing and potential students. For more information about UNITAR International University and begin your application, click on the link below.